Young Adult Class
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The Young Adult class on April 11, 2021, opened with Adam Clark’s personal testimony about how various jobs—from cleaning a meat department to writing software for the Navy—shaped his view of work as a spiritual calling. He linked his experiences to the proverb, “pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you,” a theme he had heard connected to the novel *Where the Red Fern Grows*. Adam then invited the group to read Philippians 3:17‑21, using the passage to illustrate that believers are citizens of heaven, not bound by earthly nationality or job status. The discussion broadened to include practical considerations of citizenship and employment, such as H‑1B visas and the distinction between citizenship and nationality. Adam shared his time living and serving in Japan, describing the cultural challenges of being a “gaijin” and the strategic shift to empower Japanese believers rather than attempt direct evangelism. Throughout, the class underscored the principle that true identity and purpose are found in heavenly citizenship, encouraging students to approach their vocations with a kingdom‑focused mindset.
Key Scriptures
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has furthered the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole palace guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers and sisters, having become confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment, are now much more bold to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry, others out of good will. The latter do it sincerely, thinking that they are contributing to the refinement of my sufferings. The former, however, in a spirit of contention, are preaching Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they are adding to my trouble. But what matters is that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance. I hope in the Lord that I will soon come to you.